When I started this blog, politics and ideology were my main topics but I have been incorporating Christianity and disabilities which also have impacted my life. So, with this blog, I will examine my life altogether and this will be my tool to analyze my life and looking forward to hear what other people have to say about my thoughts.

Monday, May 5, 2008

Hearing loss affects all forms of relationships

A survey indicates that 48 percent of the respondents feel that their marriages have suffered because of their spouses' hearing loss. About 57 percent feel their spouse is reluctant to get his or her hearing checked and 46 percent feel that denial is the number one reason their significant other is hesitant to get his or her hearing checked. Hearing loss is one of the most common conditions affecting older adults. Also, communication disorders are among the most common disabilities in the United States.

Regardless of if its marriage or any other relationship, one of the most critical challenges facing persons with hearing loss is their ability to access verbal information. To many, hearing loss is a hidden disability that is often unnoticeable, it can create significant barriers to communication.

With me being hearing-impaired, background noise can make it difficult or impossible to understand what person may be saying and the amount of background noise that would simply be annoying or distracting for me.

Thankfully, my wife and I have a great communication relationship. She wishes that I teach her more sign language so she can communicate with me when I am not wearing my hearing-aids. I am completely deaf without them.

Like you I'm deaf, married to an understanding spouse who copes with misunderstandings daily. I'm thinking we should learn sign langugage to facilitate better communication. I regret not doing this sooner when our children were young, still at home. You write an interesting blog, here and the other on religion. This winter I found a home church that helped draw me back to God. I would love to share ideas with you, if you'd like. Cathy (hohcat and cathyk231.aol.com)